Chrysanthemum plant named `GEDI YT8`

ABSTRACT

A new plant variety of chrysanthemum producing yellow daisy-type flowers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a new and distinct variety of chrysanthemum botanically classified as Dendranthema morifolium. The varietal denomination of the new chrysanthemum is `GEDI YT8`.

The new variety is a natural mutation discovered in a controlled planting of the variety `Tripoli` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,207) in Staden, Belgium. The new variety has been asexually reproduced by vegetative cuttings in Ventura County, Calif. and the distinguishing characteristics are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

`GEDI YT8` is a chrysanthemum plant that produces yellow daisy-type flowers.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

`GEDI YT8` differs from its parent in having yellow ray florets whereas its parent has purple ray florets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATION

The accompanying photograph shows a typical specimen of the plant and flowers of the new variety with colors being as nearly true as possible with an illustration of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following description of the new variety is of specimens grown in a greenhouse in Ventura County, Calif. in the month of July. `GEDI YT8` has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in the environment such as temperature, light intensity, day length and cultural conditions. The color designations herein are from The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms are used.

To produce a commercial product the plants may be pinched once about ten days after planting. It has been observed that longevity of individual blooms of `GEDI YT8` is about 19 days and the response time is about 7 weeks. No growth retardant has been applied in the specimens described. Useful growing conditions include night temperatures of about 62°-65° F. and day temperatures of about 70°-75° F. The new variety is naturally blooming during late September to mid October in Ventura County, Calif.

Plant:

Habit.--Nonbrittle, mounding herbaceous perennial.

Height.--About 20 cm.

Number of breaks from pinch.--About 6 to 7.

Length of lateral branches.--About 14 cm.

Stem color.--Near 138A.

Foliage:

Leaf arrangement.--Alternate.

Numbr of leaves per lateral branch.--About 14 fully expanded leaves.

Leaf size.--Length: About 5.2 cm. Width: About 3.3 cm.

Leaf shape.--Ovate.

Attachment.--Petioled.

Leaf apex.--Acute.

Base.--Tapered.

Margin.--Palmately lobed.

Aspect.--Slightly undulate.

Surface.--Top: Lightly pubescent. Bottom: Lightly pubescent.

Venation: Prominent midvein on underside.

Midvein.--Color Upper side: Near 138A. Color Underside: Near 137B.

Petiole:

Length.--About 1 cm.

Color.--Near 137B.

Color:

Mature leaf.--Top: Near 137A. Bottom: Near 137B.

Young leaf.--Top: Near 137A. Bottom: Near 138B.

Bloom:

Inflorescence form.--Cyme.

Bloom type.--Daisy.

Number of blooms per branch.--About 15.

Diameter of fully expanded bloom.--About 4.8 cm.

Depth of fully expanded bloom.--About 1.4 cm.

Diameter of disc.--About 1.5 cm.

Sepal number.--About 35. Color: Near 137A.

Peduncle.--Length: About 4.1 cm. Habit: Undulating. Surface: Pubescent. Color: Near 138A.

Flower bud (when just showing color):

Color.--Near 13C.

Diameter.--Near 0.7 cm.

Height.--About 1 cm.

Shape.--Obovoid.

Ray florets:

Number per flower.--About 40.

Texture.--Matte.

Shape.--Oblanceolate.

Apex.--Obtuse.

Base.--Tapered.

Margin.--Entire.

Aspect.--Slightly recurved.

Length.--About 2.3 cm.

Width.--About 0.5 cm.

Disc florets:

Number per flower.--About 105.

Texture.--Glossy.

Shape.--Cylindric.

Margin.--Entire.

Length.--About 0.4 cm.

Width.--About 0.08 cm.

Fragrance: Moderate.

FLOWER COLOR

General flower description: Yellow daisy-type with a darker yellow disc.

Ray florets, top side:

Immature.--Near 13B.

Mature.--Near 12B.

Fading.--Near 12C.

Ray floret, under side:

Immature.--Near 9C.

Mature.--Near 7D.

Fading.--Near 12C.

Disc florets:

Immature.--Near 154C.

Mature.--Near 13B.

Fading.--Near 16C.

Changes as the flower ages: Daisy form becomes very open, abundant pollen is released.

Reproductive organs:

Ray florets.--Pistillate. Stigma shape: 2 branched. Stigma color: Near 2B. Style length: About 0.2 cm. Style color: Near 1D.

Disc florets.--Stigma shape: Linear. Stigma color: Near 2B. Style length: About 0.2 cm. Style color: Near 154D. Stamen number: About 5. Anther length: About 0.2 cm. Pollen color: Near 13B. Pollen quantity: Abundant. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct chrysanthemum plant of the variety substantially as herein shown and described. 